What could be causing a ticking noise from my engine?

What is your question?

Ticking noise when car is idling, as well as when I accelerate…but not when I'm coasting. My car now has 72,ooo miles on it, and this started probably about 6 months ago. My boyfriend thinks it might be a worn timing belt, but I've also been reading that it may be a faulty valve in association twith the intake manifold? Trying to find out if it's dangerous to drive with this noise, or if it's as simple as replacing the timing belt.